These robots could cut delivery costs by 80% | Next Unicorns

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Today's show:

*Cytronic built a robotics-first fulfillment network, packing and shipping orders for cents instead of dollars, from small, city-adjacent micro-warehouses. Alex chats with CEO and co-founder Kevin Gibbon about how he can build a fulfillment warehouse for $1.2 million, and why it costs Amazon 50M-100M.

PLUS Eyebot delivers low-cost doctor-reviewed eyeglass prescriptions following 90-second vision tests, conducted in everyday kiosks. We asked CEO and co-founder Matthias Hofmann how he's trying to simplify vision care and caught up with his Walmart and Sam's Club pilot programs.

Guests

Kevin Gibbon on X: https://x.com/kevingibbon

Cytronic: https://cytronic.ai/

Matthias Hofmann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mchofmann/

Eyebot: https://www.eyebot.co/

Relevant Links

Axios: Cytronic seed round: ****https://www.axios.com/pro/supply-chain-deals/2026/07/15/robotic-fulfillment-cytronic-13m

Airhouse acquired by Syncware: https://www.airhouse.io/

Amazon News: 10 Years of Robotics: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/operations/10-years-of-amazon-robotics-how-robots-help-sort-packages-move-product-and-improve-safety

Serve Robotics: https://www.serverobotics.com/

Zipline: https://www.flyzipline.com

TechCrunch: Manna plots major US expansion: https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/08/autonomous-drone-delivery-startup-manna-plots-major-u-s-expansion/

TechCrunch: Eyebot Series A round: https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/26/eyebot-gets-20m-series-a-to-boost-to-expand-eye-care-access/

CNET Eyebot coverage: https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/i-took-a-vision-test-in-90-seconds-with-a-robot-and-saw-the-future-of-vision-care/

Walmart & Sam's Club announcement: https://www.eyebot.co/resources/walmart-and-sams-club-pilot-fast-affordable-eyeglass-prescriptions-using-eyebots-technology/

Formlabs: https://formlabs.com/

Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses: https://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/

Google Android XR AI announcement: https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/android/android-xr-gemini-glasses-headsets/

World Health Organization: Blindness and vision impairment fact sheet: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment

Timestamps:

0:00 Kevin Gibbons of Cytronic joins the show

5:29 How small is a micro fulfillment center?

9:59 Squarespace - Turn your idea into a beautiful website! Go to https://www.squarespace.com/twist for a free trial. When you're ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

11:33 Understanding the unit economics

20:24 Northwest Registered Agent - Get more when you start your business with Northwest. In 10 clicks and 10 minutes, you can form your company and walk away with a real business identity — Learn more at https://northwestregisteredagent.com/twist

22:29 Why fulfillment costs rise as you scale

29:46 Automatons Roll Out

30:12 Matthias Hofmann of Eyebot joins the show

30:31 Agree.com - Stop chasing invoices and automate your entire contract-to-cash stack. Go to https://agree.com and tell them Jason sent you to get 50% off for life!

31:29 Vision tests vs. eye exams

42:28 The terrifying doctor shortage

47:22 Fundraising and partnerships

57:07 Will we always need human doctors in the loop?

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